Sarah Burton was named creative director of Alexander McQueen just 16 months ago but has since become one of the world's best-known fashion designers thanks to that unforgettable Royal wedding commission for the Duchess and her maid of honour, Pippa Middleton.

Now Burton, 35, has been nominated for the Designer of The Year Award at the 2011 British Fashion Awards. Pitted against her is Erdem - himself a favourite of The Duchess during her recent tour of Canada - and the exciting young Scotsman Christopher Kane.

The British Fashion Awards, which will take place in late November, threw up plenty of hard-to-call categories when today's full list of nominations was announced.

The Designer Brand of the Year category has the-now London-based Tom Ford named alongside the FTSE-igniting might of Burberry and the starry appeal of Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham.

Model of The Year, meanwhile, sees the gap-toothed newcomer Georgia Jagger, the 19 year-old, daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, nominated against two supermodels in their 40's. Both Kristen McMenamy, 46, and Stella Tennant, 40, have enjoyed a rush of commercial and editorial work in the last 12 months.

J.W. Anderson, 26, has been showing his men's designs at
London Fashion Week
since 2007 and won raves reviews from international buyers and editors when he debuted his first womenswear in February. This wins him two nominations in the Emerging Talent section; one for menswear, and one for ready-to-wear.

Unveiling the list today Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, said: "This year's nominees demonstrate the breadth and creativity London has to offer. The fashion brands and designers that are based here set the trends across the globe."

As well as the categories listed below, there are three other British Fashion Awards announced on the night; an "Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Award" for an influential, much-loved British fashion icon, a "British Style" award for a dashingly-dressed fashion inspiration, and finally the "Red Carpet" award.

This, says the BFC, "gives recognition to a British designer who is creating global awareness of their designs in the media". Sarah Burton doesn't talk in public all that often, so she might like to start practicing.

British Fashion Awards 2011 - full list of nominees:

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Christopher Kane
Erdem
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
LAST YEAR'S WINNER:
Pheobe Philo for Celine